Variety Info.: Family: Laminaceae Type: Basil (Learn more) Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified. Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade Plant Dimensions: 18″ tall, 8″–12″ wide Variety Info: Traditional Genovese-type basil with 3″–4″ dark green, cupped leaves. Plant has intermediate resistance to downy mildew and Fusarium wilt. Attributes: Frost Sensitive Sowing Info.: When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing. When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F. Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days Seed Depth: 1/4″ Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12″ Row Spacing: 12″ Thinning: When 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 12″ Growing Info.: Harvesting: Basil flavor is best before the plant flowers. Harvest up to 1/3 of the plant at a time, leaving enough for the plant to be healthy and keep producing. Harvest prior to a freeze; basil is very frost sensitive. Special Care: Mulching soil will help retain moisture, but do so after soil has warmed up so as not to slow growth. Once basil has 3 to 4 sets of leaves, pinch the top to encourage branching. Pinch off flower buds as they appear for best leaf flavor. Seeds: 30
